Though the top three favorites for the 2009 Heisman trophy maybe familiar faces from the 2008 voting, the race for the trophy is far from decided. Here are those 2009 Heisman trophy candidates who have the inside track to winning the prestigious award.
Tim Tebow – Quarterback / Florida
Though Tim Tebow finished third in the voting for the 2008 Heisman trophy, he carried the Gators to the championship after the home loss to Ole Miss. Last season, Tebow had a 64.4 completion percentage to go with 2,746 yards, 30 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Tebow was equally dangerous on the grounding, running for 12 touchdowns and 673 rushing yards. Florida is poised to make another run at a consecutive BCS title and Tebow will have the chance to become the second player to win two Heisman trophies during their college football career.
Sam Bradford – Quarterback / Oklahoma
As the reigning Heisman trophy winner, the pressure will be on Sam Bradford to repeat his performance in 2009. Last year, Bradford won the Heisman trophy with a 67.9 completion rate while passing for 4,720 yards, 50 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. The concern for Bradford in 2009 will be the offensive line and receiving corps that needed to be rebuilt during the off-season. If the Sooners can maintain their offensive prowess from last year, Bradford will be another solid 2009 Heisman trophy candidate.
Colt McCoy – Quarterback / Texas
Last year, Colt McCoy was the Rodney Dangerfield of college football. Despite knocking off Oklahoma, McCoy was edged out by the Sooner quarterback in the Heisman race. During the 2008 season, McCoy had a 76.7 completion rate for 3,859 yards with 34 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. When it came to the ground game, McCoy racked up 561 yards with 11 touchdowns. The deciding factor for McCoy when it comes to the 2009 Heisman trophy will be if he can outshine Bradford in their head to head game and dominate in the Big 12 championship.
Jahvid Best has already garnered much deserved attention in the preseason title of top running back in 2009 and is the most logical choice to win the Heisman trophy if the quarterback candidates flop. In 2008, Best averaged 131.7 rushing yards per game and ended the season with 1,580 yards on the ground and 16 total touchdowns. If Best can help California knocked off USC during the regular season, he will earn consideration as a 2009 Heisman trophy candidate.
Can Golden Tate follow in the footsteps of Notre Dame Alumni, Tim Brown, and bring home a Heisman trophy in 2009? In 2008 as a sophomore, Tate scored a total of 11 touchdowns, while racking up 1,080 receiving yards and 637 return yards. Tate has already shown the ability to step up in Notre Dame’s biggest games when the nation’s media is sure to be watching. If the Fighting Irish and their quarterback, Jimmy Clausen, can continue to improve in 2009 Tate will be a solid dark horse candidate to win the 2009 Heisman trophy.
